Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Service Changes in Central & South Alameda County

On May 22, AC Transit’s Board of Directors held a public hearing in Fremont to receive public comment on a Project that includes 1) a proposed Restructuring Plan to improve service in central and south Alameda County and 2) previously implemented changes in downtown Hayward. At the hearing, the Board extended the public comment period through July 31, at which time the hearing will continue on the Project and also provide an opportunity for public comment on the associated environmental document, a Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND).

The Board also directed staff to schedule two community meetings prior to the July 31 public hearing – one in Newark and one in Hayward – to provide additional opportunities for the public to learn about the service proposals.

The public is invited to attend both community meetings and the public hearing and to submit comments on the Project and the Draft IS/ND. Details about the locations of these meetings can be found on the cover of this brochure.

Please note – In the original proposal presented to the Board on May 22, two lines in Alameda and Oakland, lines 314 and 356, were included as part of the Restructuring Plan. These two lines have since been removed from the Plan, so that the proposed changes only include lines within central and south Alameda County. Lines 314 and 356 will not be affected if this Plan is approved by the Board.

Following are details of the community meetings and public hearing:
Newark Community MeetingTuesday, July 16, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Newark City Hall Council Chambers, 6th Fl.
37101 Newark Blvd., Newark

Proposed Service Restructuring Plan for Central and South Alameda County

BackgroundDuring the recent economic downturn, AC Transit was forced to make significant service cutbacks in central and south Alameda County. As a result, many lines in this area run infrequently, some routes are confusing, and ridership is low along certain lines and line segments.

The proposed Plan reallocates funding and overall service hours with the goals of improving service and increasing ridership.

AC Transit staff first presented a draft Plan to the Board of Directors in December 2012. In early 2013, the Plan was redrafted using feedback from the affected cities and presented to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) for Special District 2 (Fremont and Newark). The Plan was further revised in response to the comments from the TAC and PAC.

Proposed ChangesSpecific line changes are detailed in the table below and feature the following improvements:

Conversion of confusing circular routes to linear routes.

Creation of consistent service hours and route networks across days, nights, and weekends.

New and expanded lines, including service to the Silliman Center and Pacific Research Center, and improved service between the Union City and Fremont BART stations.

Increased frequency and service hours on a number of lines.

Elimination of lines and line segments that have low ridership and/or confusing route patterns. (Most service eliminations would be covered by other restructured or new lines.)

Line

Description

Hours of Operation (weekday)

Frequency (weekday)

Hours of Operation (weekend)

Frequency (weekend)

68

Discontinued due to low ridership. Service covered partially by expanded weekday Line 85.

–

–

–

–

85

Weekday line extended north to Foothill Sq. along E. 14th St. and Dutton Ave., and south to Union Landing via Tennyson Rd., Tampa Ave., Folsom Ave., Ruus Rd., Ruus Ln., Stratford Rd., Industrial Pkwy., Huntwood Ave., Whipple Rd., and Dyer St. Weekend service will retain the original 85 routing.

5:30am–9pm

60

7:30am–8:30pm

60

99

Increased frequency of buses from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes on weekdays before 7pm, and from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes after 7pm and on weekends.

Daily line with 30-minute frequency rerouted to more directly serve shopping centers including Fremont Plaza, Pacific Commons, and NewPark Mall. Service to Silliman Community Activity Center added. Service to Lam Research Park and along Fremont Blvd. between S. Grimmer Blvd. and W. Warren Ave. replaced by Line 215.

6am–11pm

30

7am–7pm

30

215

Weekday service rerouted to serve recreational (Fremont Central Park) and industrial areas (along Osgood Rd., Fremont Blvd., and Kato Rd.) as well as medical centers along Paseo Padre Pkwy. In conjunction with Line 239, Line 215 will improve access to the Fremont Senior Center. The route will also provide commute-direction service to Lam Research Park.

6am–8pm

45

–

–

216

Daily line rerouted to operate along Niles and Stevenson boulevards to Union City and Fremont BART stations, Ohlone College Newark Campus, and NewPark Mall. Service along Cedar Blvd. replaced by new Line 200.

6am–8pm

60

7am–7pm

60

232

There are no route changes. The hours of operation shift slightly.

6am–8pm

60

7am–7pm

60

242

Loop discontinued. Service along Mowry Ave. replaced by new Line 200 and service along Stevenson Blvd. covered by rerouted Line 216.

–

–

–

–

251

Loop route converted to linear route with service between Fremont BART and NewPark Mall. Service along Mowry Ave. replaced by new Line 200. Service in Thornton Ave./Willow St./Enterprise Dr. area replaced by Line 275.

6am–8pm

60

7am–7pm

60

264

Line discontinued. All segments to be covered by lines 200, 232, and 251.

–

–

–

–

275

Loop route converted to linear route from Union City BART to Lido Faire Shopping Center with 45-minute frequency. Direct service to Newark Senior Center added. Service along Decoto Rd. replaced by new Line 200.

6am–8pm

45

–

–

332

Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by two daily lines. Service along Alvarado-Niles Rd./Niles Blvd. replaced by daily Line 216. Service along Paseo Padre Pkwy., Newark Blvd., and Cedar Blvd. replaced by daily Line 232.

–

–

–

–

333

Low-ridership Flexbus service replaced by new Line 200 fixed-route service running until 11pm at 30-minute frequency.

–

–

–

–

345

Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by two daily lines. Line 200 will provide service along Decoto Rd., Newark Blvd., Cedar Blvd., and Mowry Ave. Line 232 will replace service along Mission Blvd. and Paseo Padre Pkwy.

–

–

–

–

350

Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by more frequent daily Line 212

–

–

–

–

391

Discontinued due to low ridership. Underlying service available on lines 22, 97, and 85.

–

–

–

–

DA

Transbay line discontinued due to low ridership.

–

–

–

–

M

All-day transbay line changed to peak-only service due to low ridership. Service to Oracle will be eliminated due to low ridership.

6:27am–9:27am; 2:49pm–6:34pm

45 (peaks only)

–

–

Visit www.actransit.org to view a map of the proposed weekday service changes in Newark and Fremont.

Passenger Impact

The impact of this Plan on passengers should be relatively small and would be greatly outweighed by the Plan’s benefits. If approved, the proposed changes would result in more convenient, more frequent, and more predictable local service for most passengers. The changes will also create opportunities for ridership growth in new service areas. Please note, as mentioned above, that lines 314 and 356 in Alameda and Oakland are no longer included in this Restructuring Plan and will not be impacted by these service changes.

Previously Implemented Service Changes in Downtown Hayward

BackgroundAs part of the City of Hayward’s Route 238 Mission Corridor Improvement Project, AC Transit was required to re-route its service along several new streets due to the conversion of parts of Mission Blvd. and Foothill Blvd. (between A and Jackson streets) to one-way traffic. The new service went into effect on March 15, 2013. Its implementation was classified as an emergency due to the city’s decision to advance the project, and as a result, AC Transit was not able to conduct a public hearing prior to the change. The City of Hayward provided notification of the new service to properties and businesses along the affected segments.

Summary of ChangesEffective March 15, 2013, AC Transit lines 48, 93, 99, 801, and 22 began operating on the following new street segments:

Click here for details about the previously implemented service changes in downtown Hayward.

Environmental ReviewThe proposed service changes in central and south Alameda County and the previously implemented changes in downtown Hayward have been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and implementing guidelines to determine if there are any significant environmental impacts. A Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) has been prepared. It will also be available at the two community meetings. Written comments on the Draft IS/ND, as well as oral comments at the public hearing on July 31 are welcome.

Board Decision

The Board will close written and oral comment on both the Project and the Draft IS/ND at the July 31 public hearing. At that time, the Board may be in a position to approve the Project and the IS/ND or defer the decision to a later date.

How to Comment

Individuals, organizations, and agencies may provide comments by:

- Submitting written comments at the community meetings on July 16 and 18

- Speaking or submitting written comments at the July 31public hearing

Newark City Hall is accessible on AC Transit’s lines 251, 264, and 275. Line 251 serves the Fremont BART station and stops at Thornton Ave. and Newark Blvd. Lines 264 and 275 both serve the Union City BART station; Line 264 stops at Newark Blvd. and Civic Terrace, and Line 275 stops at Thornton Ave. and Newark Blvd.

Getting to the July 18 Community Meeting and July 31 Public Hearing in Hayward

Hayward City Hall is located within short walking distance of the Hayward BART Station, which is served by AC Transit lines 22, 32, 37, 48, 60, 83, 85, 86, 93, 94, 95, 99 and transbay Line M.

For trip-planning assistance, visit www.511.org or call 511.

Translation Services

Sign language and non-English language interpreters can be provided, if needed. Please contact the AC Transit District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-7201 by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11,to make arrangements for translation at the community meetings on July 16 and 18, and by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 25,to request an interpreter for the public hearing on July 31. For TDD for hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, and specify (510) 891-4700.